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At midnight, moonlight poured like mercury into the quiet forest behind Shrek Academy.
Tang Hao brought the newly awakened Tang San here. The surroundings were so silent that only the chirping of insects and the rustling of leaves in the wind could be heard.
Tang San kept his head down, his expression dejected, still feeling lost about the weakness of his Blue Silver Grass and his future cultivation path.
Tang Hao stopped, turned to gaze at his son, his eyes deep and complex, with an unspoken concern hidden beneath his sternness.
"Little San, lift your head," Tang Hao's deep, powerful voice echoed through the forest.
Tang San slowly looked up, meeting his father's resolute face, a mix of emotions churning within him. He opened his mouth, but didn't know where to begin, a thousand words caught in his throat.
Tang Hao saw his son's struggle and pain, and sighed softly: "I know you suffered a setback in the Grand Competition, witnessing the power of other Spirit Masters and seeing the shortcomings of your own Spirit. But that doesn't mean you should give up on your Blue Silver Grass."
Tang San was slightly startled, a flicker of doubt in his eyes: "Father, but the flaws of Blue Silver Grass are too obvious. Against those powerful Spirits, I'm completely helpless. If I continue to cultivate it, I'm afraid I'll never become strong, never be able to protect the people I want to protect."
Tang Hao shook his head, his gaze growing deeper: "You must understand that every Spirit has its unique qualities, and Blue Silver Grass is no exception. It may seem weak, but it possesses tenacious vitality and infinite potential. You think it's weak because you haven't truly unearthed its power."
"And, do you truly think your Blue Silver Grass… is just ordinary Blue Silver Grass?"
"Ordinary Blue Silver Grass?" Tang San was stunned, "Is there something special about my Spirit…?"
Tang Hao's eyes were complex: "Regarding your Blue Silver Grass, I cannot tell you the reason for now. But next, I will take you to a place to complete its evolution."
"Evolution?" Tang San's eyes lit up.
He had heard Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang mention the possibility of Spirit evolution—when specific conditions are met, a Spirit Master's Spirit might undergo an acquired transformation, either by absorbing rare treasures or benefiting from a special spirit ring.
For Beast Spirit Masters, if they can obtain a high-quality spirit ring corresponding to a higher-level Spirit Beast after reaching level fifty, it is highly likely to trigger Spirit evolution!
For example, a Spirit Master with a Ghost Vine Spirit, if they could obtain a Ten Thousand Year Ghost King Vine spirit ring, their Spirit would have the potential to evolve into a Ghost King Vine.
However, this was beyond the reach of most Spirit Masters, not only because Ten Thousand Year Spirit Beasts are powerful and hard to find, but also because a perfectly matched age limit is required. Without the support of a major Sect or a power like Spirit Hall, it would be almost impossible to achieve.
"But Father, I'm only level thirty-six now, it's not time to absorb the next spirit ring, and I certainly can't bear a Ten Thousand Year spirit ring," Tang San said, puzzled.
Only a high-quality Ten Thousand Year spirit ring could trigger evolution; Ten-year, Hundred-year, and Thousand-year spirit rings do not possess this potential.
"Your Blue Silver Grass is a special case; it can evolve without a spirit ring. I originally didn't plan to let you gain this ability so early, but seeing your current state, I have no choice but to advance the schedule," Tang Hao said in a deep voice.
"The specific reasons will be discussed later. Prepare yourself; we depart at Platinum."
He had originally planned to awaken the Blue Silver Emperor Spirit in Tang San once he reached the Spirit Saint level, but now his son was severely shaken due to his Spirit problem. If he delayed further, his mental state might completely collapse.
Though Tang San was full of confusion, he didn't ask further, only whispered: "I understand, Father."
…At the same time, Xuan Ming, who had left Spirit Hall, also arrived outside Shrek Academy.
During their previous confrontation outside Tiandou City, he used the Spirit Bone skill of the Ice Fire Dragon Head Crown to block Tang Hao's Clear Sky Avatar. At the same time, he also took that opportunity to leave a mental imprint on Tang Hao, similar to the one the Ice Dragon King had left on A Rou and Xiao Wu.
Relying on this mental imprint, he could accurately pinpoint Tang Hao's location when near him, while Tang Hao would not detect his surveillance.
And now, he could clearly sense that Tang Hao was inside Shrek Academy.
"What do you intend to do?" A blue-gold vine emerged from the spirit tool, coiling around Xuan Ming's wrist.
"Which Ah Yin are you?" Xuan Ming asked.
"The big one," the Elder Ah Yin said.
"The Ice Dragon King should have told you quite a bit already, so I won't go into too much detail here," Xuan Ming said.
"Originally, I didn't need to discuss this with you, but you are, after all, one with the Ah Yin I know."
Over the years, nourished by the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Ah Yin had recovered to the Ten Thousand Year level, but to return to the Hundred Thousand Year level and revive as a true Blue Silver Emperor would still require decades.
If Tang San were to awaken the Blue Silver Emperor Spirit now, Ah Yin would forever lose the chance to revive as an Emperor.
"Simply put, considering the revival of the younger Ah Yin, I cannot allow Tang San to awaken the Blue Silver Emperor Spirit," Xuan Ming said calmly.
"Discussing it with you now is because Tang San is Xiao Wu's friend, and also your son. Otherwise, I could simply kill him, eliminating future troubles."
"I've killed many people; one more won't make a difference."
"So, you either cooperate with me, and at most, allow Tang San's Blue Silver Grass to evolve to the Blue Silver King level. Or, he awakens the Blue Silver Emperor, and I kill him."
The Elder Ah Yin was silent for a moment: "Can I see my son?"
"He is not your son," Xuan Ming's voice was cold, "The son you gave birth to died at birth."
"What do you mean?" The Elder Ah Yin's tone turned cold.
"Didn't A Rou and Xiao Wu tell you?" Xuan Ming retorted, "Since childhood, Tang San has come up with all sorts of strange things—bizarre Spirit abilities, intricate Hidden Weapons… Do you think a child could create those?"
"Of course, you can deceive yourself; that is your freedom. Just like you did in the past, forcibly ignoring all suspicious points, at least that way it won't be too painful."
The Elder Ah Yin fell silent.
"You still have time to consider," Xuan Ming said.
"They should depart for the Blue Silver Forest tomorrow. I need to get there earlier to set things up before they arrive. Now, let my younger Ah Yin out."
"Coming!" A cheerful voice rang out.
"Lead the way."
…The next morning, Tang San, whose condition had somewhat recovered after a night's rest, briefly explained to Flender before leaving with Tang Hao.
Flender secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Tang Hao had entrusted his son to Shrek Academy. If Tang San's mental state truly collapsed, who knew what that ruthless man, who once assassinated a Supreme Pontiff, would do!
"Flender, where's Xiaogang?" Liu Erlong walked over and asked, "The children are all waiting for him to assign training tasks."
"Xiaogang?" Flender was startled, "He hasn't returned yet?"
He had left yesterday afternoon, and Spirit Hall wasn't far. Even if he was catching up with old friends, he should have returned this morning… Liu Erlong frowned: "Where did he go?"
"Uh… I'm not quite sure either. Tang San's mental state was unbalanced due to his Spirit problem, so he must have gone to find a solution," Flender feigned composure, "Perhaps he went to find Tang Hao."
"Tang Hao?" Liu Erlong was slightly stunned.
"Alright, Erlong, Xiaogang is Tang San's teacher. It's natural for him to find a solution when his disciple encounters such a predicament, don't overthink it," Flender advised, "Let's focus on training the children first."
Although Liu Erlong still had doubts, she didn't ask further.
After all, she had also witnessed Tang San's despondent state, and Yu Xiaogang's concern was indeed reasonable… Meanwhile, inside a side hall of Spirit Hall.
Qian Renxue, after dismissing Snake Lance and Porcupinefish Douluo, finally confronted Salas.
Under her coercion, Salas, unable to bear the pressure, had no choice but to reveal the old events of that year.
"You mean my father always knew about their affair?" Qian Renxue's face became completely icy.
Salas bowed deeply: "Your Highness, you can inquire with Elders Ju Gui about this matter. They were responsible for protecting the Supreme Pontiff's safety back then, especially Yue Guan, who knew the most about His Holiness's affairs."
"Then why didn't anyone say anything?" Qian Renxue demanded coldly.
Yu Xiaogang had left the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to go to Spirit City, joined Spirit Hall, and stayed in Spirit City for nearly ten years!
He had known her mother for nearly seven years, and they had been in a relationship for at least two years, even going to Sea God Island together.
There were so many people around the Holy Maiden, why didn't anyone warn her?
"Your Highness, these were all your father's instructions, and we… dared not speak," Salas said nervously.
When Bibi Dong's matter first showed signs, Yue Guan had already reported to Qian Xunji and asked him whether to drive Yu Xiaogang away or warn the boy to stay away from Bibi Dong.
But Qian Xunji gave no response and made no arrangements; he even pretended not to see it himself!
And this indulgence, let alone Bibi Dong, even they thought Qian Xunji had already tacitly approved it!
After all, in Spirit City, right under the Supreme Pontiff's nose! Yu Xiaogang, then a theoretical Grandmaster in Spirit Hall, despite his poor Spirit Master talent, devoted most of his time to theoretical research.
At that time, the relationship between the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Spirit Hall was far from what it is today; even the Clear Sky Sect, which is now at odds with Spirit Hall, was on good terms with Spirit Hall back then.
As a holy land for Spirit Masters, Spirit Hall treated Yu Xiaogang, the son of a Sect Master of one of the Upper Three Sects, with courtesy.
For nearly ten years, Yu Xiaogang almost lived in Spirit Hall's library, and his theoretical knowledge surpassed even the Elders within the hall.
Though the title "Grandmaster" was partly due to his background, his theoretical achievements were not hollow.
After all, high-ranking Spirit Masters were busy with their own cultivation, viewing books as waste paper.
Only a Spirit Grandmaster like Yu Xiaogang, who was stuck at level twenty-nine, would spend his days buried in books.
However, when Qian Xunji suddenly expelled Yu Xiaogang from Spirit City and permanently removed him from Spirit Hall, the title "Grandmaster" gradually became a mockery.
The Supreme Pontiff was the absolute authority in the Spirit Master's world; anyone scorned by the Supreme Pontiff would naturally be reviled by all.
"Why did my father suddenly remove Yu Xiaogang's name that year?" Qian Renxue pressed.
"This subordinate truly doesn't know!" Salas said in a panic.
Qian Renxue frowned deeply.
According to Salas, Yu Xiaogang's expulsion occurred less than a year before her birth, and shortly after Spirit Hall's failed expedition to Sea God Island.
Why did that relationship suddenly break down? How did her mother, as her father's disciple, end up with her father? Was it because Yu Xiaogang did something during the Sea God Island trip that caused their estrangement, allowing her father to take advantage of the situation?